Walking aids



Feb. 14, 1956 E. F. RIES WALKING AIDS Filed July 16, 1952 j INVENTOR.

ELMER F. RlEfi.

ATTOP/VE).

United States Patent WALKING AIDS Elmer F. Ries, Cincinnati, Ohio Application July 16, 1952, Serial No. 299,077

3 Claims. (Cl. 15522) My invention relates to a walking aid and more particularly to a collapsable walking aid. Walking aids are used by infirmed or persons having limited use of the legs and aid in the regaining of the use of the legs. The weight of the body is supported by means for the hands on the hand grips and by sliding the device along the floor the person has a substantial support. Heretofore devices of this nature were rigid and required considerable space for storage or transportation.

My improved walking aid is adjustable to suit the body width of the user, so that the hand grips can be placed close to the body to prevent side sway of the body while the device is in use. When it is desired to store or transport the device the side members can be brought together.

The object of my invention is to provide a walking aid with base members having upwardly curved forward faces to ride over sills and the edges of rugs.

A further object is to provide resilient hand supports for the walking aid.

A further object is to provide adjustable means for spacing the side members in relation to each other.

My invention will be further readily understood from the following description and claims, and from the drawings, in which latter:

Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of my improved walking aid.

Fig. 2 is a similar view in collapsed position.

Fig. 3 is a side view of the device.

Fig. 4 is a detail section of the locking mechanism, taken in the plane of the line 44 of Fig. 1.

My improved walking aid comprises a pair of tubular members 11 and 12 having horizontal base members 13. These members are rounded as at 14 to ride over sills, edges of rugs or any raised surface. The tubular members extend rearwardly and upwardly terminating in horizontal hand grips 15. Members 16 are welded to the uprights as at 17 and extend rearwardly and downwardly terminating in spaced relation to the horizontal base members 13. Rubber caps 16' are received over the ends of the members 16.

A pair of lugs 18 are welded to the uprights adjacent to the top thereof and sleeves 19 having lugs 20 slide on the uprights. Cross-arms 21 and 22 are pivoted to the lugs 18 as at 23' and the lugs 20 as at 24 with the arms pivoted at 25 at the point of cross over. Collars 26 fixed on the tubular members limit the upward movement of the sleeves 19. Screws 27 are threaded into the sleeves 19 to lock the sleeves to the tubular members to hold the device in adjusted position.

To use the device, the sleeves are adjusted on the uprights to bring the hand grips in a comfortable position for the user. The screws 27 are tightened and the person using the device supports the weight of the body by means of the hands on the hand grips. can move forward by pushing the device with the curved forward edge riding over any normal obstruction. The tubular structure has a certain resiliency and the bracing members 16 absorb the shock due to the spaced relation between the ends of the members 16 and the base members 13. The bumpers limit the spring action of the hand manipulation of the device and. give an easy operation without shock to the body.

When it is desired to store or transport the device, the screws 27 are loosened and the side members can be brought together to present a compact unit as shown in Fig. 2.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A walking aid comprising a pair of side members consisting of tubular members formed with horizontal bases extending with a forward curve upwardly and rearwardly terminating in horizontal handles, braces extending downwardly from said upwardly extending portions and terminating short of said horizontal bases, cossarms pivoted to the upper ends of said tubular members and connected to sleeves slidable on said members, and a pivot at the intersection of said cross-arms to permit extending said side members in spaced relation or converging said side members together.

2. A walking aid comprising a pair of side members consisting of tubular members formed with horizontal bases extending with a forward curve upwardly and rearwardly terminating in horizontal handles, braces extending downwardly from said upwardly extending portions and terminating short of said horizontal bases, crossarms pivoted to the upper ends of said tubular members and connected to sleeves slidable on said members, a pivot at the intersection of said cross-arms, and collars fixed on said tubular members to limit the upward movement of said sleeves for limiting the spaced relation of said side members.

3. A walking aid comprising a pair of side members consisting of tubular members formed with horizontal bases extending with a curve upwardly and rearwardly terminating in horizontal handles, braces extending downwardly from said upwardly extending portions and terminating short of said horizontal bases, cross-arms pivoted to the upper ends of said tubular members and connected to sleeves slidable on said members, a pivot at the intersection of said cross-arms, collars fixed on said tubular members to limit the upward movement of said sleeves, and screws in said sleeves bearing against said tubular members to lock said side members in adjusted spaced position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS The person 

